A Big Fat Indian Wedding

Most people have heard of how extravagant Indian weddings can be. Well, I experienced something about x239843204803248329 of a normal BIG Indian wedding.

I heard bits and bobs from both Kenny (friend from Chicago) and Shweta (lives in Dubai) and AFTER going to 2/6 of their wedding events, I now realize WHY it took a YEAR long to plan. They had 6 days worth of events for their wedding in India, THEN had a reception in Dubai (at the Atlantis) THEN are also having a reception in Chicago (which my parents are going too). The wedding invite came to my parents and even that was spectacular, they made these fancy princess-like cards in a decorated box, almost like a fairy tale  and .... needless to say, my parents were showing 1/2 of Chicago the invitation they were so impressed by it. That was just a spec of what was to come. So as I am obviously 'close" to New Delhi, India, I went to that wedding and unfortunately had to miss the Dubai wedding because I was out of town. Granted, I have like .2 days of vacation left, so was ONLY able to go to 2/6 of the week's worth of events. Yes, you read that correctly, there were 6 days worth of wedding-related events.

The wedding was at this big o farm in Delhi, which they converted to a venue for this crazzeee awesome wedding. How else are you going to fit 10,000+ people? So at the ashram itself, they had kinda a mini "groom's side" celebration, some ceremonial stuff, but it was just the beginning of the party:

Then we experienced TOTALLY CHAOTIC typical traffic in India, not only were we in this big o bus with dysfunctional drivers that were using a 2-way street as a 1-way (opposite the direction we were going), but we always had to maneuver through cows, cyclists, rickshaws, etc. It was pretty amusing... some of the wedding party actually got out and themselves got in cars to move them and were directing traffic. Hi-larious:

But alas, we made it... to a GRAND entrance with LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS to welcome the wedding guests:

THEN started the party.... elephants, horses, bands, fireworks, etc. Basically, Kenny was led into the area (which was almost Italian fortress-like) in on an elephant with a loud band and THOUSANDS of people dancing and partying! It was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo crazy! A truly HAPPY and WILD grand entrance! 

Hmm.... oops. Was one of the very few that didn't have an Indian sari. Uh oh!

The "Master" and his beautiful almost regal wife :-) 

Kenny with  his grand entrance on an elephant

A glimpse of Kenny. He wears this traditional head covering that is supposed to cover his eyes (it kinda does?) and then when he is sees  her, he unveils himself.

Then came Shweta's entrance, NOT as grand as Kenny, she was carried in on a throne practically. She had soo much gold on her, she could hardly lift up her head. She was STUNNING, and really, like a princess!

And..... now MARRIED! Let the party begin!!

No joke, they BUILT that facade for the wedding! Check out the fireworks!!

Like a king and queen!!!

MUSIC!

COSTUMES and entertainment!!

PARTY!

10,000+ people celebrating!!

DANCING!!

Me COLD in New Delhi... by the carriage Kenny and Shweta would leave on...

4:30am.... Party finishes as Kenny and Shweta do a round through the crowds to wave bye to everyone.

Then comes the RECEPTION, aka. IllumiNite... they requested everyone wear BRIGHT and colorful clothing. THIS time, I borrowed a sari as NOT to be one of the only ones without a traditional outfit....

Soo.. the reception party was at this same massive farm, and I don't know if this area was a separate area that we were in the night before, or they performed some magic and converted that large open space to this reception area. Either way, it was FAB-U-LOUS!!! Cool chick decor with glow in the dark stuff and a really neat ambiance for..... even more partying!!!

But alas, I had to leave early to catch a flight to the next leg of my journey and had to leave "early," aka. midnight. So I get BACK to the ashram and.... after a few minutes Kenny and Shweta and family leave TO GO TO the party! hahahahah! And, as they are somewhat well known, as usual, there were hundreds of people just waiting around to see them leave. Amazing.

All and all, a truly MAGICAL and ENORMOUS wedding. NOT only that, but there would be ANOTHER reception a few days later at the Atlantis in Dubai (MEGA $$) and THEN ANOTHER RECEPTION at the Hilton in Chicago. Phew! I don't even want to know what went into these preparations! It was an awesome experience though!

Soo... as I alluded to earlier, I had to leave early to get to my next leg....

To Be Continued on my next blog.....